THE risk posed by tonnes of crushed asbestos illegally dumped near a highway west of Brisbane is low, health authorities say.
THE Ipswich City Council says large amounts of the deadly substance have been found just 200 metres off the Warrego Highway at Haigslea, along with about 80,000 dumped tyres.
Workplace Health and Safety officers have advised public health officials that the site poses a low risk for exposure. But efforts are underway at the site to further reduce that risk, the West Moreton Hospital and Health Service said. “There have been no concerns reported to the Public Health Unit relating to contact with the potential asbestos site,” it said in a statement. The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection is investigating the dumping and has already ordered one unnamed company involved to clean up the site. “Failure to comply with a direction notice is an offence,” a spokesperson for the department said. “Subject to the outcomes of further investigations, additional compliance action may be taken.” The council has also moved against one unnamed company, fining it $60,000 for dumping the asbestos and tyres.